Former President Peter Mutharika has said he is not yet decided on whether to run or not as the end of his mandate as leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is fast approaching this July.
Mutharika told the party’s Youth leaders who visited him at his retirement home (Page House) in Mangochi last week, that he is yet to make up his mind.
His remarks will continue to send mixed signals to the party faithful as the stage has been set by a faction promoting his return.
“I cannot tell you whether I will stand or not, but I can tell you I am thinking about it and still consulting people. The problem is that whatever I say will be taken out of context so I will not give you an answer,” Mutharika is quoted by some of the people that attended the meeting who were led by Dyton Mussa who is National Director of Youth.
Mutharika was elected in 2018 for a five-year term and had in 2022 indicated that he will retire from politics before a movement to push for his return emerged towards the end of the year.
However a close aide to Mutharika said everything was set for his return as all the political regions have endorsed him as the 2025 DPP torch bearer.
“The President is in good health, he is willing and he is ready to go,” said the associate.
Current opinion polls places the DPP in front of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) across the country but it is not clear if the party can attain a majority of 50 + 1 to avoid a runoff.
Five people had expressed their desire to succeed Mutharika but lately they have taken a back peddle as regional teams have been scrambling to endorse the former president to contest in elections slated for September 2025.
The five are Paul Gadama, Dr Dalitso Kabambe, Birght Msaka, Joseph Mwanamvenkha and Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa.
